NHL Injury Updates for January 31st

The Ottawa Senators have called a media scrum this morning where they are expected to announce that center Jason Spezza will undergo back surgery. Spezza has missed the last two games and hasn’t skated in three days. His back may have flared up on Sunday during their game against the Penguins according to Bruce Garrioch. There was some talk on twitter that Spezza could be lost for the season, but that reaction may be premature. Once the procedure takes place, a timetable on when he may return will be determined.

The New York Rangers will be without Ryan Callahan for 10 to 14 days with what the team is calling a shoulder subluxation. The injury occurred when he got into a fight with Max Talbot.

The status of Colorado Avalanche captain, Gabriel Landeskog is still uncertain. All that has come out is that he has head and leg injuries. Landeskog isn’t skating, and has been receiving medical treatment at the arena.

The Toronto Maple Leafs have been dealing with a couple injuries. Clarke MacArthur has missed some time with a cut on his pinky finger, but is getting closer to returning. Mike Komisarek smashed his stick and part of the fiberglass flew into his eye. He has been cleared to resume playing. Mike Brown suffered a shoulder injury against the Sabres.

Pittsburgh Penguins defenseman Matt Niskanen is out with a lower-body injury and will miss between two and four weeks of action.

San Jose Sharks defenseman Brent Burns is skating, but there is no timetable for his return.

The Vancouver Canucks have lost their minor league goaltender, Eddie Lack, for six months for hip surgery. He was a possible backup for the Canucks if they moved Luongo.

The Nashville Predators will be without winger Patric Hornqvist for three to four weeks. He has a sprained knee, and there is luckily no structural damage.